Photos: 10 of Houston’s unlikely sports heroes

With his game-winning 3-pointer on Friday, Troy Daniels added his name to a list of unlikely Houston sports heroes.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Troy Daniels became the latest unlikely Houston sports hero with his game-winning 3-pointer in overtime in Game 3 of the Rockets' first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Here’s a look at 10 memorable unexpected performances from Houston athletes. less

Troy Daniels became the latest unlikely Houston sports hero with his game-winning 3-pointer in overtime in Game 3 of the Rockets' first-round playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers. Here’s a look ... more

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Brandon Backe

Called into duty because scheduled starter Roger Clemens was out with a stomach virus, Backe allowed just two runs in five innings in the Astros’ 5-3 win over the Giants to clinch a playoff spot in the final game of the 2004 regular season. Backe also allowed just one hit in eight innings in a 3-0 Astros win over the Cardinals in the 2004 NLCS. less

Brandon Backe

Called into duty because scheduled starter Roger Clemens was out with a stomach virus, Backe allowed just two runs in five innings in the Astros’ 5-3 win over the Giants to clinch a playoff ... more

Photo: Steve Ueckert / Houston Chronicle

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Chris Burke

Burke was among the most unlikely candidates to deliver perhaps the most memorable home run in Astros history. Burke, who had five homers in 335 at-bats in his first two seasons, went deep into Crawford Boxes in the 18th inning to give the Astros a 7-6 win over the Braves in Game 4 of the 2005 National League Division Series. The Astros beat the Cardinals for the National League pennant but were swept by the White Sox in the World Series. less

Chris Burke

Burke was among the most unlikely candidates to deliver perhaps the most memorable home run in Astros history. Burke, who had five homers in 335 at-bats in his first two seasons, went deep into ... more

Photo: DAVID J. PHILLIP / AP

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Sam Cassell

The rookie guard hit a 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds left and later made four straight free throws to give the Rockets, who trailed most of the game, a 93-89 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 of the 1994 NBA Finals. The win gave the Rockets a 2-1 series lead en route to the 4-3 series victory. Cassell was 3-of-3 on 3-pointers scored 15 points at Madison Square Garden. less

Sam Cassell

The rookie guard hit a 3-pointer with 32.6 seconds left and later made four straight free throws to give the Rockets, who trailed most of the game, a 93-89 victory over the Knicks in Game 3 of ... more

Photo: John Makely / Houston Chronicle

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Troy Daniels

Daniels, a rookie who set 3-point records in the D-League this season and played just 70 NBA minutes during the regular season, saved the Rockets’ season with a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left in overtime, giving the Rockets a 121-116 victory over the Blazers in Game 3 of the opening-round playoffs. It was Houston’s first win in the series after dropping two to Portland at Toyota Center. less

Troy Daniels

Daniels, a rookie who set 3-point records in the D-League this season and played just 70 NBA minutes during the regular season, saved the Rockets’ season with a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left ... more

Photo: Don Ryan / Associated Press

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Chris Jent (shown while playing for the Knicks)

Jent, who played in three regular-season games for the 1993-94 Rockets, hit two 3-pointers in a 104-99 win over Utah in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals. It was his career high for six games over two seasons with the Rockets and Knicks, and it was a huge shot in what became the Rockets’ first championship season. less

Chris Jent (shown while playing for the Knicks)

Jent, who played in three regular-season games for the 1993-94 Rockets, hit two 3-pointers in a 104-99 win over Utah in Game 2 of the Western Conference ... more

Photo: Andy Lyons / Getty Images

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Peter Munro

Munro threw 2 2/3 innings as six Astros pitchers combined to no-hit the Yankees in an 8-0 victory at Yankees Stadium on June 11, 2003. It set an MLB record for most pitchers in a no-hitter and it snapped the Yankees’ streak of 6,980 games - the longest in baseball - without being no-hit. Munro, who grew up in Flushing, N.Y., as a Mets fan, was first to enter the game in relief of Roy Oswalt, who left with a groin injury after two pitches in the second inning. Munro, who walked three and struck out two, combined with Kirk Searloos, Brad Lidge, Octavio Dotel and Billy Wagner for the no-hitter. Munro threw just 54 innings that year and 315 in his MLB career. less

Peter Munro

Munro threw 2 2/3 innings as six Astros pitchers combined to no-hit the Yankees in an 8-0 victory at Yankees Stadium on June 11, 2003. It set an MLB record for most pitchers in a no-hitter and ... more

Photo: MARCOS TOWNSEND / AP

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Steve Novak

Novak, who started in the D-League during the 2007-08 season, scored a game-winning 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left on Feb. 13, 2008, to give the Rockets an 89-87 victory over the Kings and an eighth consecutive win in what became a 22-game win streak. It was the only basket of the game for Novak, who made 47 3-pointers in 70 regular-season games with the Rockets. less

Steve Novak

Novak, who started in the D-League during the 2007-08 season, scored a game-winning 3-pointer with 2.5 seconds left on Feb. 13, 2008, to give the Rockets an 89-87 victory over the Kings and an ... more

Photo: Kevin Fujii / Houston Chronicle

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Vernon Perry

Perry was undrafted out of Jackson State and played two years in the Canadian Football League before becoming an Oilers hero in 1979. Perry intercepted a NFL-record four passes and blocked a field goal in perhaps the greatest upset in Oilers history, a 17-14 victory over the Chargers in the divisional playoffs. The Oilers were playing without starters Dan Pastorini and Earl Campbell. Second-year QB Gifford Nielsen was 10-of-19 for 111 yards and a TD, and backup Rob Carpenter ran for 67 yards, but Perry stole the show. less

Vernon Perry

Perry was undrafted out of Jackson State and played two years in the Canadian Football League before becoming an Oilers hero in 1979. Perry intercepted a NFL-record four passes and blocked a ... more

Photo: Rich Lipski / UPI

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J.J. Watt

The Texans’ first-round draft pick was relatively unknown across the country until his interception helped produce the first playoff victory in franchise history in 2011. Watt, who went on to win the 2012 NFL defensive player of the year award but had only 5.5 sacks his rookie year, leaped up to bat down a pass by Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, caught the ball and returned it 29 yards for a touchdown. His score broke a 10-10 tie, and the Texans went on to win 31-10. less

J.J. Watt

The Texans’ first-round draft pick was relatively unknown across the country until his interception helped produce the first playoff victory in franchise history in 2011. Watt, who went on to ... more

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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T.J. Yates

Making just his second career start in place of injured quarterback Matt Schaub, Yates threw a 6-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left to give the Texans a 20-19 victory at Cincinnati on Dec. 11, 2011, and clinch the first playoff appearance in franchise history. less

T.J. Yates

Making just his second career start in place of injured quarterback Matt Schaub, Yates threw a 6-yard touchdown pass with two seconds left to give the Texans a 20-19 victory at Cincinnati on Dec. ... more